Photographed By William Murphy - Select Image To View Photographs

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I USED A SONY A7R MkIII

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By March 2019, the street art scene in Belfast had undergone a vibrant transformation, successfully distancing its contemporary identity from the sectarian murals of the past. The focus had shifted decidedly towards the Cathedral Quarter, where a "third-culture" movement—neither nationalist nor loyalist—was flourishing through world-class, non-political murals.

The Cultural Shift: Hit the North

The backbone of this scene in 2019 was the annual Hit the North street art festival, managed by Seedhead Arts. By this time, the festival had successfully turned the derelict spaces around North Street and the Cathedral Quarter into a curated outdoor gallery. Unlike traditional murals, these works were temporary and evolving, often painted by international heavyweights invited to "refresh" the city’s walls.

Key Artworks and Artists (March 2019)

Walking through the city in early 2019, you would have encountered several iconic pieces that defined the era:

The Duel of Belfast (Conor Harrington): Located on Hill Street, this operatic, black-and-white piece depicts two 18th-century gentlemen duelling over a dead carcass. While it hints at conflict, it serves as a classical allegory of greed rather than a local political statement.

The Son of Protagoras (MTO): Found on Talbot Street, this massive monochrome mural shows a child holding a dove struck by arrows. It critiques organized religion generally through the lens of agnosticism, positioned directly opposite St Anne’s Cathedral.

The Chef (Smug): A photorealistic, three-storey masterpiece on High Street Court featuring a chef with a lobster, showcasing the technical "wow factor" that local audiences had grown to love.

Still Waters (Nomad Clan): A 2017 addition on Hill Street that was a firm favourite by 2019. It depicts a young woman in a face-to-face encounter with a wolf, weaving together themes of industry, nature, and female strength.

The Golden Hares (Annatomix): Located on Castle Street, this geometric interpretation of Rathlin Island’s wildlife brought a touch of modernism and nature to the urban centre.

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